Have a Downton Christmas

It’s Stir-Up Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent, so get ready for December with these recipes from a new book by Fiona Aitken, Lady Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey

MINCE PIES

Mincemeat and mince pies have been part of our cookery for centuries and originally contained meat, though now the only meat is in the beef suet. These are a perfect snack while decorating the tree. You can buy good mincemeat, to save on time.

Makes 12 • 225g (8oz) suet (beef or vegetarian) • 225g (8oz) Bramley apples, peeled,

cored and chopped • 125g (4½oz) candied peel, chopped • 225g (8oz) sultanas • 225g (8oz) raisins • 225g (8oz) currants • 175g (6oz) demerara sugar • 1tsp mixed spice • Zest and juice of 1 orange • 60ml (2¼fl oz) Cognac

For the pastry • 225g (8oz) cold butter, diced, plus extra for greasing • 350g (12oz) flour, plus extra for dusting • 100g (3½oz) caster sugar • A pinch of salt • Grated zest and a squeeze of juice from ½ an orange (optional) • 1 egg, beaten • Icing sugar, for dusting

First, make the mincemeat. Mix the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Sterilise some jars (wash and rinse the jars and lids, then dry the jars in the oven at 140°C/fan 120°C/ gas 1 for 15-20 minutes) then spoon in the mincemeat and store in a cool, dark place until needed.

Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/ gas 4. For the pastry, rub the butter into the flour, then mix in the caster sugar and a pinch of salt. Add the orange zest and juice, if using. I suggest you do – it adds a delicious extra dimension. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured work surface and cut out 12 circles for the lids and 12 slightly larger circles for the bases. Place the pie bases in a greased 12-hole Yorkshire pudding tray. Spoon the mincemeat in (you won’t need it all so keep the remainder for another batch), then top with the lids. Crimp the edges together with a fork.

Brush the tops with beaten egg, then bake for 20-25 minutes until golden. Leave to cool for 5 minutes, then remove from the tray and allow to cool on a wire rack. Serve lightly dusted with icing sugar.